Semi-weekly south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1883-1889, 1887-12-09
CHAPTER X


In the meantime Mrs Ferraii held 10 her
resolution. She went straight from Mr..
TroJs office to Newbury's hotel
Lady Montbarry was at home, and alone
But the authorities OF the hotel hesitated to
disturb her when they found that the visitor
declined to mention her marie. Her lady
ships new maid happened TO cross the hall
while the matter was still in debate. She was
Frenchwoman, and, on being appealed 10,
settled the question in the swift, easy, ration
al French way. "Madame's appearance was
perfectly respectable. Madame might have
reasons for not mentioning her name which
uailadi might approve In any case there DO.
ing no orders forbidding the Introduction Of
a strange lady, the matter clearly rested DO
tween madame and miladi. Would madame
therefore, be good enough to follow miladih
maid upstairsi'
In spite Of hor resolution, Mrs. Ferrarif
heart beat as IL II would burst out Of hei
bosom, when her conduotress led her into or
anteroom, and knocked at a door opening tn
to a room beyond But it is remarkable thai
persons Of sensitively nervous organization
are the very persons who are capable Of forc
ing themselves apparently by tho exercise Of
a spasmodic effort OF wilD into tho perform
ance OF acts of tho most audaclous courage
A low, grave voice from the inner room said,
1Come in" The maid. opening the door, IN,
nounced, "A person to see you, miladi, or
business" and immediately retired. In the
one instant, while these events passed, timid
little Mrs. Ferrnri mastered her own throb
bling heart; stepped over the threshold, CON
scious Of her clammy hands, dry lips, and
burning head; and stood in the presence OF
Lord Montbarry's widow, TO all outward ap-
pearance as supremacy self possessed as her
ladyship herself.
1t was still early In the afternoon, but the
light In the room was dim. Tho blinds were
drawn down. Lady Montbarry sat with her
back to the windows, as II even the subdusd
daylight were disagrseable to her. She had
altered sadly for the worse in hor personal
appearance, since the memorable day when
Dr. Wybrow had seen her In his consulting
room. Her beauty was gone-her face had
fallen away to mere skin and bone; the con-
trass between her CHASTITY complexion and
her steely glittering black eyes was more
startling than ever. ROBBED in dismal black,
relieved only by the brilliant whiteness Of her
widows cap-recllnlng In panther like
suppleness of attitude on a little green sofa
she looked at the stranger who had intruded
on her, with a moments languid curiosity,
then dropped her eyes again to the hand
screen which she held between her face and
the fire. ~ don't know you." she said. ~What
do you want with mei-
Mrs. Ferrari tried to answer. Her first
burst OF courage had already worn itself out
The bold words she had determined to speak
were living words still In her mind, but they
died on her lips
There was a moment Of silence. Lady
Montbarry looked round again at the speech
less stranger. Are you deafT she asked.
There was another pause. Lady Montbarry
quietly looked back again at the screen, and
put another question. "Do you want money!
"MoneyP That one word reused the sink
ing spirit of the couriers wife. She recovered
her courage; she found her voice. %Look at
me, my lady, II you please" she said, with a
sudden outbreak Of audacity.
Lady Montbarry looked round for the third
time The fatal words passed Mrs. Fsrraris
lips
Il come, my lady, to acknowledge the re-
ceipt Of the money cent 10 Ferrari's widow"
Lady Montbarry's glittering black eyes
rested with steady attention on the woman
who had addressed her In those terms Not
tne Ihlntesb expression OF COMMUNION or alarm,
not even a momentary futter of interest
stirred the deadly stiffness Of her face She
reposed as quietly, she held the screen as
composedly as ever. The test had been tried,
and had irretrievably, utterly failed
There was another silence. Lady Mont |
barry considered with herself. Tho smile
that came slowly and went away suddenly
the smile at once so sad and so cruel-showed
itself on her thin lips She lifted her screen,
and pointed with It to seat at the further
end Of the room. HBe so good as to take that
chair" she said.
Helpless under her first bewildering sense
Of failure-not knowing what to say or what
to do next-Mra Ferrari mechanically
obeyed. Lady MontbArry. rising on the sofa
for the first time, watched her with undis-
guised scrutiny as she crossed the roonn-then
sunk back into reclining position once more.
"No," she said to herself quietly. -the woman
walks steadily; she Is not intoxicated-the
only other possibility is that she may be mad"
She had spoken loud enough to be heard.
Stung by the insult, Mrs.. Ferrari instantly
answered her: Il am no more drunk or mad
than you arel"